What is the Battley Single-Digit Classification System?
Chief Inspector Harry Battley and Detective Superintendent Fredrick Cherrill of New Scotland Yard were instrumental in establishing the foundation of the single-digit classification system.
Although many single-digit classification systems exist, the Battley system, developed in 1929, became one of the most well-known and oldest.
Why the Battley Single-Digit System Was Needed
Single-digit fingerprint classification systems were created due to the need to classify latent fingerprints found at crime scenes.
Since most fingerprints recovered from crime scenes are partial, rather than complete 10-digit sets, identifying criminals based on those prints was challenging and time-consuming.
This necessity led to the development of single-digit classification systems, including the Battley system, to improve the identification process.
History and Development of the Battley Single-Digit System
In 1929, Battley and Cherrill introduced the Single Fingerprint System, one of the most advanced and efficient fingerprint classification methods at the time, designed to speed up identification.
As mentioned earlier, the primary purpose of the single-digit classification system was to quickly identify individuals using latent fingerprints left at crime scenes.
However, because this system involved classifying individual fingerprints rather than sets of 10, there were many more prints to manage—10 times more than in the Henry Classification System.
As a result, the task of organizing and maintaining such a vast amount of fingerprint data became overwhelming, eventually making it difficult to accurately and swiftly identify specific prints.
Collection of Fingerprints for the Battley Single-Digit Classification
The Battley Single-Fingerprint System utilizes a special card, known as the Battley Index Card, where each individual fingerprint is recorded.
Here’s what a Battley Index Card includes:
- Number of digits
- Name of digits
- Criminal reference number
- Henry Classification (if applicable)
- The adhered fingerprint
- 10-subgroup designation
Each person has 10 Battley Index Cards, one for each fingerprint, from the right thumb (#1) to the left little finger (#10).
Procedure for Classifying Fingerprints Using the Battley Single-Digit Classification System
Here is a step-by-step guide to classifying fingerprints with the Battley Index Card:
- Collection of Prints
In the Battley system, fingerprints are taken as rolled impressions, and each print is placed in an individual drawer of the fingerprint chart. - Subdivision Sets in Battley Classification
The Battley system classifies fingerprints using two broad subdivisions:- Pattern-Based Subdivision: Considers aspects like radial or ulnar inclination, ridge counts, tracing (using a Battley reticle), core formation, and delta position.
- Circle Reading Subdivision: A more specialized method based on ridge formations.
Pattern-Based Subdivision
Contrary to common belief, the Battley system does not rely solely on circle reading. Instead, it uses ten major fingerprint pattern types, each further subdivided based on specific characteristics. The following table outlines these patterns, subdivisions, and their designations:
| Pattern | Subdivisions | Designation |
|---|---|---|
| Arches | Plain Arch | 1 |
| Left-sloping | 2 | |
| Right-sloping | 3 | |
| Tented Arches | Circle reading (summit of first platform ridge) | A-H |
| Radial loops | Ridge count between delta and core | # |
| Predetermined core definitions | A-L | |
| Circle reading of delta | A-H | |
| Ulnar loops | Ridge count between delta and core | # |
| Predetermined core definitions | A-L | |
| Circle reading of delta | A-H | |
| Whorls/Central pocket loops | Circle reading of first recurving ridge | A-H |
| Core definitions (small spirals in “A” circle) | A.1A.2A.3A.4 | |
| Circle reading of left delta | A-H | |
| Ridge tracing | I,M,O | |
| Ridge count between left/right deltas and core | # | |
| Twinned Loops | Radial or ulnar slope of descending loop | R,U |
| Circle reading of core | A-H | |
| Ridge count between loops | # | |
| Ridge count between core and delta of descending loops | # | |
| Circle reading of left delta | A-H | |
| Ridge tracing | I,M,O | |
| Circle reading of right delta | A-H | |
| Lateral pocket loops | Radial or ulnar slope of ridges | R,U |
| Ridge count between delta and core of innermost loop | # | |
| Composite | No division | |
| Accidental | No division | |
| Severely scarred | Cannot classify |
This process involves careful classification based on specific features of each fingerprint, making it a detailed and thorough system.
Circle Reading Subdivision
Henry Disk Reticle
Battley Disk Reticle
In this subdivision, a special tool called a reticle-based magnifying glass is used for fingerprint analysis.
The Battley reticle magnifying glass includes:
- A central circle with an apex dot at the center, known as Point A.
- Seven concentric circles, each with a width of 2 mm.
The radii of these circles are:
- 3 mm, 5 mm, 7 mm, 9 mm, 11 mm, 13 mm, and 15 mm, and each radius is labeled with a letter from ‘B’ to ‘H’.
Instead of counting ridges, the distance between the delta and core is measured by positioning the apex dot on the innermost recurving ridge. This system uses a designated core for classification, particularly in loops and whorls, where the core is located in the center of the fingerprint pattern to calculate the circle readings.
The delta’s position is determined by the circle that touches or crosses it, and an alphabetical designation is assigned based on the corresponding ring.
Other Single-Digit Fingerprint Classification Systems
Various single-digit fingerprint classification systems exist, each with different subdivisions:
| Name of System | Subdivisions |
|---|---|
| Collins | Pattern types, Ridge counts, Ridge tracing, Ridge characteristics |
| Larson | Pattern types, Pattern inclination, Core type, Ridge characteristics, Delta type, Ridge tracing |
| Oloriz | Primary from Oloriz tenprint system, Core type, Limiting Lines (Type Lines), Delta types, Apex Angle |
| Borgerhoff | Pattern types, Ridge counts, Ridge tracing |
| Stockis | Pattern types, Ridge counts, Apex Angle, Core type, Delta type, Ridge tracing |
| Gasti | Adapted from Gasti (tenprint) classification for each finger |
| Born | Pattern type, Zone scheme with marked minutiae |
| Sagredo | Primary from Oloriz Tenprint System, Pattern types (no delta, one delta, two deltas), Inclination, Ridge counts, Ridge tracing, Delta type |
| Dresden | Pattern types, Ridge counts, Pattern inclination |
| Neben Register of Roscher | Based on Roscher tenprint classification for each finger |
| Lyonnese | Pattern type, Central basal angle (from Oloriz), Ridge tracing |
| Barlow | Pattern type, Pattern inclination, Core type, Ridge counts |
| Jaycox | Pattern type, Pattern inclination, Core type, Core ridge characteristics |
| Jorgenson | Pattern type, Pattern inclination, Ridge counts, Core type, Delta position, Core to delta angle, Core diameter (whorl) |
| Crosskey | Pattern type, Core type, Ridge counts, Presence of scars |
Each of these systems offers a unique approach to fingerprint classification, focusing on different fingerprint features such as ridge counts, core and delta characteristics, and pattern inclinations.
